Paris attacks trigger debate on Merkel's refugee policy

BERLIN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The deadly attacks in Paris have
sparked a debate in Germany on Chancellor Angela Merkel's
refugee policy and how to get a better overview of the people
entering the country.

Islamic State on Saturday claimed responsibility for the
coordinated assault by gunmen and bombers that killed 127 people
in Paris. President Francois Hollande said the attacks amounted
to an act of war against France.

Merkel said Germany would help France to hunt down the
perpetrators and backers of the attacks, promising a joint
battle to defend European values.

"This attack on freedom is not only aimed against Paris.
It's aimed against us all," Merkel said. "We know that our free
life is stronger than terror."

German authorities increased security measures at public
places such as train stations and Interior Minister Thomas de
Maiziere said more extremists could be on the run.

He also confirmed that German police had contacted French
authorities after arresting a man from Montenegro in Bavaria on
Nov. 5, who was apparently heading to Paris in a car carrying
guns and explosives.

Asked about reports that at least one of the attackers in
Paris came from Syria, De Maiziere said French authorities were
still investigating and it was up to them to inform the public.

"But I make the urgent plea, as interior minister and as a
responsible politician of this country, that there shouldn't be
any hasty links made to the refugee debate," he added.

Only hours before, Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer,
leader of Merkel's sister party, the Christian Social Union
(CSU), had urged better protection of Germany's frontier and
called for stricter controls at Europe's external borders.

"In light of the increased migration to Germany, we have to
know who is driving through our country," said Seehofer, who has
repeatedly criticised Merkel for her open-door approach in the
refugee crisis.

But Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel
warned against making Germany less welcoming to refugees in
response to the attacks.

"We should not make them suffer for coming from regions from
which the terror is being carried to us," he said.

"As a state under the rule of law, as a free state, we are
always vulnerable. Still, we want to remain an open country, an
open society," said Gabriel, who is also head of the Social
Democrats (SPD), Merkel's junior coalition partner.

Germany reimposed border controls on Sept. 13 and decided to
extend them beyond an initial limit of two months foreseen by
Schengen rules, using a clause that permits stretching checks to
a maximum of six months.

Frauke Petry, head of the anti-immigrant Alternative for
Germany (AfD), said on Twitter that Seehofer was advertising for
her party with his calls for stricter border controls.

Seehofer rejected the assertion. "We have nothing at all to
do with the right-wing boneheads," he said.
(Additional reporting by Thorsten Severin and Andreas Rinke,
Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Digby Lidstone)